Africa-Press – Uganda. President Museveni, the NRM presidential candidate on Monday wrapped up his campaigns in Bugisu sub-region in style, with a massive rally at Maluku grounds in Mbale City.
Arriving a few minutes to mid-day, Museveni had a triumphant entry welcomed by a sea of yellow supporters who thronged the grounds.
Busoga Diocese Bishop, Paul Naimanhye and Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Ramathan Mubaje led the prayers.
“ For over 40 years Ugandans have enjoyed peace, good health and education. We ask God to protect you(Museveni) and give you good health to plan for this country so that what we have achieved stays. This is time we protect the gain in the last 40 years,” Mubaje said.
Starting his speech with greetings in the local language, Museveni highlighted four achievements of the NRM that he said the people of Bugisu ought to focus on.
“Peace is the first achievement of the NRM. Bugisu and Uganda at large are at total peace for the first time in 500 years. Because of a proper ideology that says not to sectarianism we have been able to form strong national institutions like army, police, prisons and intelligence which are able to defend peace in Uganda,” Museveni said.
He also mentioned development, in terms of electricity, road network, clean water , education and health.
“Here in Mbale you can audit what has been done. The Bumbobi-Bubulo-Lwakhakha road qas tarmacked by us and the Nabumali-Butaleja-Namutumba road which is 90km is going to be worked on. The money is now available. We shall also do the Bubulo-Bududa circular road and the Kufu-Magale- Namisindwa road,” he told the gathering, attracting ululations.
Museveni said the other shorter roads within the district and city will also be worked on by government in the forthcoming term
On electricity, he said all sub county headquarters are connected, only remaining with connecting it to the houses.
On clean water, Museveni expressed delight that out of the 613 rural villages in Mbale District, 484 have access to a safe water source, representing an average coverage of 79%.
“This leaves 129 villages (21%) without access to safe water but this will also get,”he said.
He mentioned the completion of the Mbale Municipal Council Piped Water Supply and Sanitation Project, which now provides reliable clean water to 163,292 residents,public and institutional sanitation facilities in Mbale Municipal Council and Busiu Rural Growth Centre implemented and completed, improving hygiene and public health in schools, markets, and healthcare institutions as well as an additional six piped water supply and sanitation systems are operational across the district, extending safe water to thousands more people.
Ongoing Interventions
The president said Mbale’s ongoing works include 6 new deep boreholes, 1 piped water system design, and 1 system construction, indicating a focus on both planning and infrastructure development as well as the rehabilitation of 8 boreholes ensures consistent service delivery, while 1 new public latrine enhances sanitation in key centres.
“Over 280,000 residents across Mbale District now have access to safe, clean, and affordable water. Improved sanitation infrastructure has reduced disease prevalence and strengthened community health outcomes. Reliable water access supports urban development, economic productivity, and the operation of public institutions,” he said.
According to Museveni, government plans expansion works in Busiu, Nakaloke, and Nabumali to increase water supply capacity and improve service efficiency as part of ongoing system management and development.
“Those without water, in the coming government is what we are going to work on. To maintain the 79% already with water and work on the those without.”
On the railway, Museveni said government is currently repairing sections to Lira, Kampala and Pakwach.
On education he reaffirmed government’s plan to have a primary school in every parish and a secondary school in every sub county.
Health
According to Museveni, out of the 17 sub-counties in Mbale District, one has a health centre IV, 14 have health centre IIIs and 8 health centre IIs, leaving two sub counties without any health facility.
He said in the coming term, government plans to upgrade Busiu health cente IV to a general hospital, Nabumali health centre III in Bungokho Central Constituency, Wanale health centre III in Bungokho North Constituency to health centre IVs while Muruba health cente II in Nyondo Sub-County to health centre III.
“We are going to construct new health centre IIIs in Bunambutye, Bufumbo Sub-Counties and Nabumali Town Council,” he said.
Museveni noted that out of the two sub counties in Mbale City , there is one regional referral hospital, two health centre IVs, and eight health centre IIIs, with all sub counties having health facilities.
He however said more is planned for the city.
“We will upgrade Namatala health centre IV to a general hospital but there are also ongoing constructions at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital including the City Medical Store, expansion of the oxygen plant, regional call and dispatch centre and expansion of the labour suit theatre.”
Wealth creation
Museveni told the gathering that despite the achievements by the NRM, there is now need to focus on wealth creation.
He said whereas government has in the past asked people to fight poverty, many have ben focusing on asking for development infrastructure like roads.
“You have many roads both inter district but also within the city. Do you sleep on those tarmac roads at night? If you don’t sleep on the tarmac road, school, hospital but go back to sleep in your home, the poverty you left at home in the morning when you go back will be waiting for you. Therefore, separate development and wealth,” he said.
“Development is ours as a group but wealth is mine as an individual, family or company. Don’t get diverted by development which is ours but concentrate on wealth which is in your home.”
He urged the population to vote for NRM to continue protecting the gains achieved in the last 40 years.
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